New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-24
BROTHERS BLOWN TO DEATH.
EXPLOSION OF A SrEAM-LAUNCH BOILER.
INCOMPETENT MEN PAY 1HE PENALTY OF THEIR
FoLLY-oNE MORE VICTIM MAY DIE-sI1GHr
INJURIES TO oTHERs-NO ONE
INSPECTED THE BOILER.

INSPECTED THE BOILER.
Karl Schmdtllc. Of No 157 East Onc-hundrcd
and scvcnth-st., and William WcstalSc, a music
teacher living in Jersey City entered into part
ncrship last May, the object of which was 10
search for pleasure; in pursuance thereof they
Fought the steam launch May. Yesterday about noon
the hull Of the May went to the bottom Of the
Harlem River while the boiler went slIyward
and two men were instantly killed and one
scriocsly and rcrlapS fatally injured
When the May was purchased by MeSsrs.
Schmdtkc and Wcstlal>c She had seen her best
days and the hull was little moro than chunk of
rotten timber aHoat on the river. The Old hulk
was towed to J. NJ Shehan's float at East One
hundred and nnth-St. In order to make tho boat
f. to carry an, one a great deal Of repairing was
necessary, and wormcn have been busy patching
her up at odd intervals during the summer and
fall. An old second hand boiler put on board
Ia furnish the steam Mcssrs Schmidtl<c and West
lake, who are said to have had no knowledge of
machinery, kept a sharp lookout upon the altera-
tons being made in the May, and when little
while ago everything was done, they expressed
themselves vigorously as to the scaworthincss
Of the craft.
Yesterday was the day act for a little excursion
in the May. and Mr.. Schmidtke had invited about
a dozen of his friends to take trip with him
up the East River. Mr.. Schmidtllc is the time
keeper of the Standard Gaslight Company at the
foot Of East One hundrcd-and -itccnth-'t, ana
John Cunningham, the superintendent, ana TAT
rick his brother, the foreman of the same company,
who both live at No. 4l9 last Onc-hundred and
sixth st were among the guests. The Cunninghams
did not know much about boilers or machinery,
but they undertook TO get the boat ready for sail
ing while Mr.. Schm.dt<c looked over his dutlcs
as nav gator. The boat had been towcd to one
hundred and 81 xtrcnth-st 10 the old Harlem baths.
The number of guests was too large Tor the May
TO carry, and a dismanticd catboat was tied 10
the stern to accommodate some Of them Only the
Cunningham, and Schmidtllc were Oh the May
while the guests stood on IA noat close by waiting
Tor the signal 10 get on board.
PLENTY OF sIEAM, BUT so GAUGE.
John Cunningham acted as fireman, and lie soon
had a roaring fire There was water gauge On
the loilcr. hut whether it registered correctly no
onc knows line Ire sang mcIrily and the water
in the boiler bubbcd violently, and John Cunning
ham kc.t hoaying IN the coal, without knowing
/ the terrific steam pressure that was being rapidly
made. Tcro Wa, no safety valve on the boiIcr'
or if there wa, it did not work, and Just ~ some
Of tuc people were stepping into the c'tho't uere
MI, Il t.rr.hc cNlI,slcn. lhr t'h-h"INc Po"''
I Ioncr had stood the strain ~ 'ohs "s loS,'pl''
and tlcn few INTO thousand pcc'.. Nc'fi| an
the people ON the float were knoc'cd ao"" ANU
sour Of them rolled into the water
Ir,.rncut, of the boiler went upward hp"U'
two hundred feet aud then came down III shower
7 oil iron and wood into the wafer anu ""'F "p VI. ~,
tho shore Tho huh of the boat went OUT "'
SIGHT in a second Scattered among ih' ruins
. ,'.t,n,, an thc water were the remnants "l NV
| tuuutrrham brothers 1hrr bodies were TORN i''"
pieces The hcdd oi one oi item W"a "'oN" .T'''" T
ric suou,dcr., tut "mch ore ,"''" mo' ,I. Wr